It is time for the 2026 edition of the Battle of the Birds to be played at Graves County High School this year. Excitement for the new season to start is always high around here, but Cardinal fans are watching this game with special interest.

Beginning with Coach Leahy taking over from Jack Morris, each coach that have taken the helm as the Cardinals head coach has LOST the Graves Co game in their first meeting. Coach Leahy lost, Coach Joe Morris Lost, Coach Dew lost, and now comes the first meeting against the Eagles for new head coach Stephen Hatchell. Will he break this insane losing streak?

As for the teams, Mayfield showed us something in the Owensboro scrimmage. The Eagles had better come ready to play. We really haven’t heard much from the Eagles camp so far. and it could be that they are keeping things “close to the vest” if you will. Rivalry games have all kinds of crazy things happen, and I do not expect that this year will be any different. What do you think?

Interesting on the early loss for each coach. I liked the video I saw on Mayfield. They had some good plays on offense against Owensboro. I like Mayfield in this one and the streak is over. LOL.

Graves will be improved from last year but so will Mayfield. I expect a hard hitting physical game may even be close for a quarter or 2. Mayfield will eventually pull away as they have to many horse for the Graves to contain for 4quarters.

Graves 14

Mayfield 35

I will go with graves in this one as they return a lot from last year where as mayfield graduated a lot.

I'm conditioned to side with Mayfield in this rivalry. I look for this one to be a four quarter battle with the Cards surviving behind Gray Robbins and a healthy Josiah England.

After seeing Mayfield vs Owensboro give me the Cards 28-7.

Edited August 17Aug 17 by theguru

Bump.

Broadcast is live.

Graves to start on offense.

Curious to see how Graves comes out in this game. Lots of Freshman and Sophmore starters the last few years who now have some experience.

Graves defense looks decent the first time out. They were pretty solid a year ago. The offense just wasn't able to do a whole lot.

Graves looks really good on the ground this drive. Inside the Mayfield 30.

Inside the 5. Another nice run.

Timeout Mayfield with 6 minutes left in the 1st qtr. On the Mayfield 3.